Mission Statement

Our Guiding Principle: Celebrating Excellence

MerComm, Inc. is the world's only independent awards organization dedicated to defining the standards of excellence in the communications fields and to recognize the individuals whose work has made an outstanding contribution to their organization, corporation or client.

By way of advancing the multi-disciplines involved in professional communications, we are committed to: exercising fair play, maintaining independence, and acting with integrity. Our judging process is designed to ensure impartiality and objectivity. Neither judges nor MerComm have any stake in the outcome of the competition. We accept no advertising, there are no membership dues, we have no sponsors to which we owe fealty.

The MerComm Awards programs have achieved world-wide recognition for their integrity and fairness in their judging procedures. They are the only competitions in the communications fields which honor small and large organizations alike. Judging is carried out by peers in the profession, based not on budget, but on the values of creativity, clarity, effectiveness, and innovation.

The competitions have gained international prestige due to the overriding philosophy that directs MerComm's mission: to honor professionals who contribute to the advancement of the communications arts and sciences, and whose creativity and craft make a difference in the global marketplace.

The MerComm professional recognition programs celebrate individual and collective achievement within all areas of communications, featuring:

ARC Awards
The International ARC Awards is the "Academy Awards of Annual Reports", according to the financial media. The ARC Awards is the most anticipated event of the year. The Awards are globally recognized, providing a platform for the highest standards in the annual report industry. It is the world's largest international competition honoring excellence in annual reports. The competition is open to corporations, small companies, government agencies, non-profit organizations and associations, as well as agencies and individuals involved in producing annual reports. Winning an ARC is one of the leading accolades in the IR industry.

Mercury Awards
The International MERCURY Awards Competition honors the best in public relations, public affairs and corporate communications. The MERCURYs are based on the principle of celebrating creative professionals whose determination, innovation, originality and smart-thinking make the industry work. Major categories include Advertising, Annual Reports, Apps, Brochures, Custom Publications, Design, DVDs, Employee Publications, Magazines, Promotion, Publicity, Special Events, Social Media, Special Projects, Websites and Writing as well as Campaigns for corporations, non-profits and pro bono work. The annual award is named for the Roman god who was the messenger of the other gods. The MERCURY Award symbolizes the spirit of the message communicated.

Astrid Awards
The International ASTRID Awards honors outstanding achievement in corporate design. ASTRID - the name heralds the stellar qualities of creativity, recognizing the beauty of the heavens reflected on earth by the beauty of design. Categories include: Advertisements, Annual Reports, Apps, Books, Brochures, Calendars, Campaigns, Cover Design, Custom Publications, Employee Publications, Graphic Design, Magazines, Photography, Posters, Promotion, Self-Promotion, Special Projects, Video Design and Websites. Our mission is formidable: We aim to promote design as a fundamental element of communications, a business imperative and a powerful tool for commercial success.